Glam Slam: NYC Window Shopping

One of my favorite things to do in New York is engage in a little retail therapy.

Obviously, this is not a unique pastime — haha! But in Los Angeles, you have to make a bit more of an effort to shop. Here, it’s right outside your door.

On the way back to my hotel from my temporary NY work digs (which are conveniently located on shopping mecca Fifth Avenue!), I did some power shopping, hitting a few stores in the short amount of time that I had.

I mean, how awesome is it that there is a J.Crew on the first floor of the building just a quick elevator ride away? Anthropologie is next door, Saks is across the street and Top Shop is moving in. Retail heaven all within a very small radius! It’s so interesting to see the difference in the stuff that is in stores here and what is stocked in Los Angeles… obviously there are a lot more coats and winter clothing.

Long sweaters are everywhere. You can’t shake a stick without hitting a chunky knit. Since it’s chilly here, I wanted to go crazy with this trend, but I had to stop myself from getting caught up in the chilly weather moment. I will be lucky to wear the heavier ones once or twice at best.

Shoe boots are ubiquitous. Those I can do! And I had so much fun hitting the shoe floors of Saks, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. I could have spent all day in Bergdorfs people watching…. and living vicariously through some of the seriously rich people who were buying shoes like they were going out of style. #jealous! If money was no object, I would be guilty of doing the same.

Instead, I got my designer fix window shopping. I’m sorry, but we just don’t have the incredible window displays in Los Angeles like they have here. They are works of art. And while we may aspire to buy the designer wares these stores sell, the sartorial inspiration they provide is free.

— Ryan Patterson